Stockholm (Brussels Morning Newspaper) September 19, 2026 – The European Commission has introduced a new legislative package aimed at simplifying and accelerating the cross-border recognition of professional qualifications within the European Union. The proposals introduce strict processing deadlines, digital proof mechanisms through the European Digital Identity Wallet, and standardized rules for evaluating credentials obtained by third-country nationals.
Overview of the Fair Labour Mobility Package
The European Commission formally presented the comprehensive “Fair Labour Mobility package,” which consists of five distinct legislative proposals alongside a broader policy communication. The primary objective of the initiative is to eliminate persistent administrative bottlenecks that hinder mobile workers, professionals, and employers operating across different member states.
Under the existing framework, the validation of professional diplomas and certifications often involves lengthy bureaucratic hurdles, varying considerably between member states. The newly announced framework seeks to streamline these procedures through common European digital platforms, reducing the need for certified paper translations and establishing fixed administrative timelines.
Accelerated Deadlines for Regulated Professions
The core of the proposal targets regulated professions—occupations where national laws mandate specific qualifications before a practitioner can legally work. For cases benefiting from automatic recognition systems, the European Commission has proposed cutting the maximum processing deadline from three months down to five weeks. For other non-automatic applications, the mandated time limit would drop from four months to 11 weeks.
Furthermore, the draft legislation introduces provisions allowing applicants to request compensation for certain administrative delays that are directly attributable to competent authorities, subject to specific conditions outlined in the regulatory text. All application procedures and supporting documentation would be channeled through a common European platform and accepted in any official EU language.
Digital Integration and Verification Mechanisms
To modernize the verification process, the package incorporates the use of digital attestations housed within the European Digital Identity Wallet. Holders of national qualifications would be able to request a free digital attestation to present to employers or authorities in other member states. For credentials issued in the decade preceding the new regulation’s entry into force, national authorities would be required to issue these digital documents within a maximum timeframe of two weeks upon request.
Additionally, a new comparative tool integrated into the Europass platform would enable workers and employers to evaluate and compare the content of various national qualifications free of charge, utilizing linked national databases. While these digital formats serve to verify authenticity and streamline comparisons, the European Commission noted that they do not automatically replace individual licensing requirements mandatory for practicing specific regulated professions.
Inclusion of Third-Country National Qualifications
Addressing labour market demands and chronic skills shortages, the Commission also proposed a dedicated directive establishing common requirements for recognizing qualifications obtained outside the European Union. Currently, the average processing time for third-country qualifications extends to approximately 14 months. The proposed rules would compress this period to an average of four months while establishing uniform standards for documentation, processing deadlines, and the right to appeal administrative decisions.
Under the framework, automatic recognition would remain restricted exclusively to qualifications originating from previously approved training programs that comply directly with European minimum standards, specifically covering designated professions such as doctors, general care nurses, and architects.
Digitalization of Social Security Documentation
Complementing the qualification reforms, the legislative package incorporates the European Social Security Pass (ESSPASS) initiative. This system allows mobile workers and employers to request, store, and present essential social security documents—such as the European Health Insurance Card and the A1 form for posted workers—entirely online.
Social security institutions, healthcare providers, and labour inspectors would gain direct digital access to verify document authenticity, data integrity, and validity. According to European Commission estimates, the broader digital transformation across these administrative sectors could yield substantial cost savings over a 12-year period, reducing verification expenses for businesses, healthcare entities, and labour authorities while mitigating document fraud risks.
Legislative Path Forward
The set of proposals has been transmitted to the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union for formal review and adoption. Implementation timelines will depend on the legislative negotiation process, with various digital components—such as social security document integration—scheduled for phased rollout following official enactment.
